I’m sorry I couldn’t post before now. It’s been an interesting week here, working at a pace that I haven’t experienced for a year and a half. And the coaching itself is always intense. I’m heading home later today, after three more sessions this morning.
The drive down here from NY involved the Garden State Parkway, and that’s never a pleasant experience. I liken it to doing the luge in the Olympics – once you’re in the chute, you can’t stop. It’s even worse the further south you go. But I made it. The apartment I’ve been staying in is nice, but it’s on a busy street, so I have to keep the A/C on high to deaden the sounds of traffic. And I’ve nicknamed my upstairs neighbor “Thumper” because he or she or they walks around the apartment endlessly – and loudly.
These are the things I don’t miss about apartment living.
But the space itself is very nice. Although, as is standard in theater housing, the sofa is old and has no back support. You sink into it and can’t get up. I had to rig up something involving pillows and my heating pad on a chair that is also uncomfortable. I can’t wait to get back to my little chair in the den.
The cast and staff are lovely and it’s been very nice working with them this week.
I haven’t had any spare time to do anything other than work and we’ve also been dealing with the effects of Hurricane Erin – tons of rain, and wind.
My traveling companions on the porch, bracing themselves during the storm.
But it’s been fun to coach again. I love the one-on-one work, those times that we’re sitting around in the break room, chatting and getting to know each other, watching Darko direct, getting to know the staff. The theater is lovely. And theater is such a small world: the Artistic Director, Justin, used to work with a director that both Don and I knew from our days at the Old Globe. He was involved in the production of Pygmalion that Don was in several years ago. When the director fell ill as the production was transferring to Williamstown, Justin took over. And Justin used to work at the Old Globe, so he knew who I was and that I was married to Don. He’s such a lovely guy.
One of the staff members was the Company Manager when Don did Margaritaville in La Jolla. See? Small world.
Don seems to be very popular here. Ahem.
Campbell Scott (son of George C. Scott and Colleen Dewhurst) is playing Poirot and he is going to be perfect. It’s been an absolute joy working with him this week. Very kind, very smart, and very funny.
So that’s the update. More work this morning, a long drive home, and I’ll get to see my husband by late afternoon.
Stay safe.
Happy Saturday.
